Blessing The Forge: Magically Enhance Your Cast Iron Cookware

Empowered by the protective strength of iron and the transformative energy of fire, cast iron is an indispensable tool for the kitchen witch.

Cast Iron: An Ally In The Kitchen

Cooking is central to the kitchen witch’s craft, emphasizing the magical power of herbs and spices. But there’s more to kitchen magic than the properties of herbs or whether to stir the pot deosil or widdershins.

Surprisingly, little emphasis is placed on cookware when discussing kitchen witchery. But one could argue that cookware is the very foundation upon which most kitchen spells are cast. And no cookware is more powerful than the modest and enduring cast iron.

The History & Folklore Of Iron

When the Bronze Age began to transition into the Iron Age, little was understood about the chemistry of ironsmithing. The first tools and weapons forged of iron were soft and weak. But even soft iron, if sharp enough, could pierce bronze, making iron a valued commodity and smiths an indispensable member of society.

Using the power of fire to shape and mold iron, blacksmiths were revered and respected as much as they were feared. After all, they worked with the most dangerous substance on Earth, yet rather than succumb to it, they bent it to their will. This made them magicians in the eyes of some, believing that the ironsmith both received power and reenergized when working with iron.

At one time, in certain parts of the world, significant taboos were attached to iron and its use in magical practice was avoided. While that’s generally no longer the case, some taboos have endured.

To learn more about the folklore of iron, I love this well-researched article from Rebecca Beyer at Blood and Spicebush. It beautifully summarizes the history of iron and its magical lore.

The most powerful of all the metals, iron’s power in magic is preceded only by menstrual blood, and in fact, iron has been called the menstrual blood of Earth.

Despite past taboos, with its strong protective power and strength of endurance, I can’t imagine a better tool for the kitchen witch, except for maybe a humble wooden spoon.

Magical Properties Of Iron

Iron is considered the metal of truth and represents protection and strength. Baneful spirits are frightened of it, and when lidded, it acts as a sort of spiritual Faraday box, shielding what’s inside.

Prepare Your Cast Iron For Dedication

Cleaning Cast Iron

Cookware that’s been used should first be examined for rust before moving ahead with cleaning and cleansing. If you find rust, follow instructions for restoration (Guga Foods|YouTube) and then come back to this ritual when it’s time for seasoning.

Provided no restoration is required, it’s time to give the cookware a good scrubbing with hot, soapy water, removing as much build-up as possible, leaving a fresh, clean surface.

Next, make sure to dry your cookware thoroughly. Water is the enemy of cast iron and any wet spots have the potential to rust. Don’t ever leave your cast out in the air to dry, especially if you live in a humid environment.

Cleansing Cast Iron

The first time you perform Blessing the Forge, even if you’ve had your cookware for years, it’s important to cleanse it of built-up energy.

I highly recommend using smoke or sound for cleansing and advise against using salt or sprays. You don’t want to have to circle back to restoration!

Use one of the following chants to aid your cleansing. Or, if you’d prefer, write something in your own words.

Note the only difference between the two is a slight change in the first and fifth lines. This is a great example of keeping things simple when it comes to spellcrafting!

With your cookware clean and cleansed, it’s now ready for dedication.

Dedicating Your Cast Iron Cookware

I wrote this dedication spell when I first seasoned my cast iron cookware. I had never seasoned iron before and needed to learn how to do it.

Everything I read recommended seasoning with highly processed fats, such as vegetable oil or shortening. But the “typical” seasoning oils didn’t align with my energy. So, I started researching alternatives, and that’s why I crafted the Hearth & Harmony Spell Oil.

Of course, crafting the spell oil led me to wonder what more I could do to work with my cast iron, inviting it to become a true partner in my kitchen magic, rather than a simple tool.

A dedication ritual felt like just the thing.

If you’d like a grimoire-quality copy of this dedication spell, you can download it here. It’s also available in The Cottage Cauldron Library.

Otherwise, feel free to download the recipe card and transcribe it by hand, which is a lovely way to fuse your own energy into the ritual.

Blessing the Forge: Dedication for Cast Iron Cookware

Author: Éirinn | The Cottage Cauldron

This spell was written to magically fortify cast iron cookware, blessing both the meals that are cooked and all who enjoy them.

Print Spell

Equipment

• Cast Iron Cookware (clean and cleansed and ready to be seasoned)
• Paper towels or lint-free rags
• Candle

Materials

• Hearth & Harmony Spell Oil

Spell Instructions

• In a clean kitchen, adjust the oven racks so that one rack is on the lowest level and the other is one level above. Place a large cookie sheet on the lower rack.
• Preheat the oven to 450˚F (235˚C).
• Once the oven has gotten to temperature, light the candle, center, and begin the dedication.
• Start by stating the intention of both the cookware and the spell oil as you prepare to use them: iron for protection; Hearth & Harmony Oil for health, happiness, love, and prosperity.
• Using a paper towel or lint-free rag, rub a thin layer of Hearth & Harmony Spell Oil all over your cast iron piece including the inside, outside, and handle(s). As you do this, repeat the incantation below.
• With a new paper towel or a clean rag, wipe off all the oil you just rubbed on. You want to buff it off to the point where it's difficult to tell that it's even there. Except for a slight sheen, it should look as if you never put oil on in the first place.
• Place the pan face down on the upper rack of the preheated oven and let it bake for 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the pan and repeat steps 5-7 two or three more times. Remember: The pan is hot!
• After you have repeated the cycle of oil, buff, and bake for a total of 3 or 4 times, the spell is complete! You've just formed a solid allyship between you and your now magically fortified cookware, and it's ready for use!

Notes

BLESSING THE FORGE: INCANTATION

Iron strong, protect this space,

With love and joy, your strength embrace.

Health and heart, abundance bright,

Shield my home both day and night.

By this oil, your magic flows

As above, so below.

Maintaining Your Magically Fortified Cast Iron

Your cookware will be a sturdy, reliable partner in your kitchen magic. Properly seasoned, cast iron becomes fully nonstick, and with more use, this nonstick quality should only become stronger. If at any time the nonstick quality begins to diminish, the magic is fading and it’s time to revisit the spell.

Every time you make a meal with your cookware, you’re infusing the food with energies of protection, happiness, health, love, and abundance, blessing yourself and your loved ones with each nourishing bite.